A 'Real' celebration for the national team

The Spanish national team has a date with its fans next Monday in the Plaza de Cibeles, around the historical monument of the same name in the centre of Madrid, whether it wins or loses the Euro 2012 final that takes place on Sunday in Kiev.

According to the mayor of Madrid, Ana Botella, the only difference is that if the national team returns to Spain as champions, the players will parade through the city’s streets in an open top bus. Whilst, if they’re runners-up, they will go directly to the Plaza de Cibeles

The celebrations for winning or finishing runners-up will have a controversial side to them because the Cibeles monument is where Real Madrid supporters traditionally celebrate their clubs titles.

The Spanish capital’s other great team, Atlético de Madrid celebrates its triumphs in the adjacent plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, around the statue dedicated to the god Neptune.

However, it’s at Cibeles where a stage will be built for the occasion. The “heroes of the national team”, as the mayor calls them, will take their place on this stage as per the programme agreed by the Spanish Football Federation and the council.